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A $44-million deal between the Philadelphia Phillies and free-agent closer Ryan Madson hit a roadblock Wednesday.

There was no telling if a deal between Madson and the Phillies would ever get done now, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

It seemed that the team and the pitcher were only a pen stroke away from finalizing a four-year deal at an average of $11 million a season with a fifth-year option for $13 million.

The deal needed only the approval of Phillies president David Montgomery. But a source told the Inquirer there was miscommunication.

There are indications the Phillies now may be going another route, with CSNPhilly.com reporting that the team has been talking with free-agent closer Jonathan Papelbon of the Boston Red Sox.

MADDUX BROTHER ACT

Mike Maddux says he sought input from his brother, Greg, a former Cubs pitcher, before being interviewed for Chicago's managerial vacancy.

"I think this was a unique situation, the first time we ever talked about anything like this," Mike Maddux told MLB.com Wednesday after his interview with Cubs boss Theo Epstein and staff at Wrigley Field. "(Greg) gave me a little background of what's going on. It was very, very helpful."

Should he get the Cubs job, Maddux -- the Texas Rangers pitching coach the past three seasons -- could very well hire his brother as Chicago's pitching coach.

The Cincinnati Reds have cancelled plans to have left-hander Aroldis Chapman pitch in the Puerto Rico winter league, as they groom him for a spot in the starting rotation in 2012.

"There's no injury," general manager Walt Jocketty told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "He's on a strength-and-conditioning program in Arizona. He'll go to Florida after that and continue to work out. We just want to make sure he's 100%. He had the shoulder issue during the season."

The Reds are still hoping for a big return on their investment. They signed the 6-foot-4 Cuban to a five-year contract worth $25.25 million in 2010.